Google may launch a Spotify-like music streaming service at Google I/O later today (Wednesday).
The Google conference kicks off this evening at 5PM in the UK and a music service may take centre stage alongside a new gaming platform dubbed Google Play Games.
A music streaming service could allow Google to dominate all media - it already owns YouTube.
The rival to top music streaming service Spotify has apparently already got the backing of Universal Music and Sony Entertainment who are licensing partners on YouTube and the Play store.
The Verge says Google plans to launch a music subscription service to both YouTube and Google Play as part of its entertainment hub.
There were rumours Google had also teamed up with Warner Music Group, but that hasn't been confirmed by either party.
Google's steps here show it's ready to take on Apple full-force. Apple is apparently also looking to launch a music streaming service to add to its iTunes offering and approached Beats a couple of months ago to discuss such a plan.
- iPhone 5S to feature Beats music streaming service?
- Hidden control buttons in iOS 6.1 hint at music streaming service
According to The New York Times, Google won't be offering a free subscription service (ad-supported or otherwise) to its music streaming service and any Google music service would cost around $10 (£6.50), to keep it in line with other music streaming services.
Other rumoured launches for Google I/O include the launch of a new phone, the Nexus 5, plus updates to the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7. Google is likely to also launch a new version of its operating system at the conference, although the jury is out on whether that update will be Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or Android Key Lime Pie.
We'll have all the news here from 5PM.
by clareh via Featured Articles
Posts
No comments: